LORAIN — The momentum of the Lorain International Festival is on the rise as attendance this year was higher than last year, Lorain International President Don Nickerson said.
June 29 brought the closing of the popular festival. The day started with the International Parade in the morning. About 113 people participated in the parade.
Jessica Baloun was there to watch her daughter, Liz, who is a junior miss first attendant for the city of Brunswick’s Summer Celebration. Baloun said this is her daughter’s fourth year in pageantry.
“We’ve been to 35 parades in Ohio this year,” Baloun said. “I love it.”
Baloun said she was impressed by the diversity in the International Parade. It was her first time.
“It’s wonderful, and the weather is perfect,” she said.
Rick Soto, chairman of security for the International Festival, said there were no major problems during the weekend.
Lines for the vendors were longer on June 29 than on June 28, Soto said, adding his favorite food was the gyros at the Greek vendors. He said many of this year’s vendors aren’t strangers to the International Festival.
“Manny and Nick are repeat vendors,” he said.
Overall, Soto said it has been a great weekend.
“As we’re speaking with vendors they seem very happy,” he said.
Soto called the Lorain International Festival one of the best festivals in the state, and added the event can’t be put on without help from the city.
Lorain Police Chief Cel Rivera even set up chairs, he said.
“The mayor’s office, they’ve also been supportive,” Soto said.
Nickerson said through Saturday night and Sunday afternoon, almost 14,000 people attended the International Festival.
He estimated 5,000 would show up the night of June 29. The number doesn’t include the entertainers, volunteers and children younger than 12, he said.
The weekend went by fast for Nickerson and Soto.
“I can’t say enough positive things about our community,” Nickerson said.
Soto agreed and said he believes the event can only go up from here.
“Without all that support, we aren’t going to stand up,” he said. “It has been a community team.”

About the Author

Kaylee is the Avon-Avon Lake reporter, but you can catch her covering different stories across the county. She is a Kent State University alumna who enjoys family, friends and everything Cleveland. Reach the author at kremington@morningjournal.com
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